About us
A clinician and a neuroscientist, building for the gut–brain connection.
CortiAura brings together everyday clinical experience in gastroenterology and deep expertise in neuroscience to develop safe, non-invasive technology built around the gut–brain connection.
Founder & CEO
Dr Prashant Bhand
Dr Prashant Bhand is an NHS gastroenterologist with a focus on the gut–brain axis and non-invasive neuromodulation. He founded CortiAura to explore safe, science-based ways to support the body’s natural balance.
- NHS gastroenterologist with 9–10 years’ experience in gastroenterology
- Trained at Grant Medical College, Mumbai; worked in Ireland before joining the NHS in 2017
- Postgraduate qualification in AI and machine learning
- Interests: the gut–brain axis, vagus nerve pathways and autonomic balance
Co-founder
Dr Ratnakar Mishra
Dr Ratnakar Mishra is a clinical neuroscientist who has worked across leading academic centres and pharmaceutical and biotech teams in neurodegeneration, neuro-ophthalmology and rare diseases. At CortiAura he guides the neuroscience behind our approach.
- 15+ years of experience in neuroscience and neuro-ophthalmology research
- PhD in Biochemistry and Neuroscience (synaptic connectivity), University of Göttingen, Germany
- Postdoctoral training in Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK
- Senior scientist roles at Astellas Pharma, Cambridge, and Medinect Ophtho, Belfast
- More than 10 published neuroscience papers, with grants from Fight for Sight UK, Addenbrooke’s Trust and Boehringer Ingelheim
How we work
Our principles
Evidence-led
Guided by research, with transparency and rigour.
Safety first
Built to recognised medical device safety standards from the first prototype.
Non-invasive
Working with the body from the outside, with no implants and no drugs.